nd run up the back stairs."

"And we may be in time for tea yet, if papa is as late getting home as he
is sometimes," remarked Harold; "so let us run."

Mr. Allison was late that evening, as Harold had hoped, and tea was still
waiting for him, as they learned from a servant whom they met in passing
through the grounds: but when they reached the porch upon which the side
door opened, they found, much to their surprise and chagrin, that the
ladies were seated there with their work, and Mr. Dinsmore was reading to
them.

He looked up from his book as they approached, and catching sight of his
little girl's soiled dress, "Why, Elsie," he exclaimed, in a mortified
tone, "can that be you? such a figure as you are! Where have you been,
child, to get yourself in such a plight?"

"I was playing in the brook, papa," she answered in a low voice, and
casting down her eyes, while the color mounted to her hair.

"Playing in the brook! that is a new business for you, I think. Well, run
up to Aunt Chloe, and tell her I want you made decent with all possible
haste or you will be too late for tea. But stay," he added as she was
turning to go, "you have been crying; what is the matter?"

"I have lost my rings, papa," she said, bursting into tears.

"Ah! I am sorry, more particularly because it distresses you, though. But
where did you lose them, daughter?"

"I don't know, papa, but I am afraid it was in the brook."

"Ah, yes! that comes of playing in the water. I think you had better keep
out of it in the future: but run up and get dressed, and don't cry any
more; it is not worth while to waste tears over them."

Elsie hurried upstairs, delivered her father's message, and Chloe
immediately set to work, and exerting herself to the utmost, soon had
her nursling looking as neat as usual.

Rose had followed the little girls upstairs, and was helping Sophy to
dress.

"Dere now, darlin'; now I tink you'll do," said Chloe, giving the glossy
hair a final smooth. "But what's de matter? what my chile been cryin'
'bout?"

"Because, mammy, I lost my rings in the brook, and I'm afraid I will
never find them again."

"No such ting, honey! here dey is safe an' sound," and Chloe opened a
little jewel-box that stood on the toilet-table, and picking up the
rings, slipped them upon the finger of the astonished and delighted
child; explaining as she did so, that she had found them on the bureau
where Elsie must have laid them before going ou